Chemical process catalysts
Catalysts that run the big chemical reactions: ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, plastics, ethylene oxide, sulphuric and nitric acid.
Specialty chemicals · Catalysts · No. 76
- Product family
- Feedstock: Minerals and salts
- not published in tonnes
- HS 381590
Fertiliser, plastics and methanol all depend on catalyst pellets that sit in reactors for years and are rarely seen.
Chart: Illustration: Chemical process catalysts
Where it comes from
Chart: Map of where it comes from
Metals such as nickel, copper and silver are loaded onto alumina or silica supports; reforming catalysts hold about 10-20% nickel, methanol catalysts 50-60% copper oxide.
Three things to know
- Silver catalysts turn ethylene into ethylene oxide, and high-selectivity grades reach about 85-90% selectivity, saving feed and CO2.
- Licensors such as Topsoe often supply a new plant's first catalyst fill; Topsoe's 2026 revenue outlook is DKK 8.0-8.5 billion.
- Clariant's catalyst sales fell from CHF 883 million to CHF 816 million in 2025, yet its EBITDA margin rose to 20.8%.
The journey
- 1 Metal and supportNickel, copper, silver or PGMs on alumina
- 2 ManufacturePrecipitated or impregnated, shaped, then calcined
- 3 First fillSupplied by licensors with new plants
- 4 Reactor serviceRuns ammonia, methanol, plastics, acids
- 5 Reload, reclaimSpent catalyst sent to authorised recyclers